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April 10, 1928.

' 1,665,314 E. H. LICHTENBERG ET AL WATER INTRODUCING MEANS 'FORCONGRETE MIXERS Filed May 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Suva-Ho's QM EL.

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April 10, 1928.

E. H. LICHTENBERG ET AL WATER INTRODUCING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed May 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 connections between the tank and the mixing drum are opened to permit the water to flow into the latter.

The foregoing represents what we believe is a broadly new idea in this art, and we do not therefore wish to be restricted to the specific detailsofthe instrumentalities hereinafter presented for accomplishing the desired result. I

Supplementing the foregoing, there may be employed a special. air compressor which may also function as an air reservoir and which is adapted to act somewhat in the capacity of a booster for maintaining the air pressure continuous during the discharge of the water to the mixer.

The means yust referred to is 111 the nature ofa mechanical compressor or pump,

and is intended to be ope 'ated by the loading skip as the latter is raised to charge the machine equipped with the invention;

FigureQ isa View similar to Figure 1, broken away in rega-rd'to the mixing drum and loading skip provisions, but showing, however, a modified construction wherein a mechanical air compressing device is available;

Figure dis a sectional View of the air valve;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the water and air tanks and connections;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the water separator used with this apparatus; and

Figure 6 is a side view showing a modified form ofthe invent-ion comprising a single combination w-aterand air tank.

Referring to Figure 1, A denotes the framework of a mixing machine of the concrete paver type, the same being such as has endless treads or the like by which the machine is rendered portable, which treads however, are omitted because they are un- "material to the proper disclosure of this in vention.

The mixing drumis designated B and the loading skip C. These various parts just referred to may be largely of conventional construction. Above the drum B, or somewhere adjacent thereto, is located the measuring tank 1. This tank is adapted to retain the water designed to the supplied to the drum B in a measured quantity for each batch of aggregatesthat are mixed in said drum.

any conventional means of this sort known to those versed in the art to date may be The measuring means for the tank 1 is not a. feature of this invention, for

used. An example of one such means, is that set forth in the Koehring Patent No.

1,145,922 issued August 10, 1925.

work A. there is located an air tank 5 conneeted by a pipe 6 with the water measurmg tank 1 at the top of the latter. On the pipe '6 there is provided the air pressure gage 7.

The air valve 2 located in the pipe line between the tanks aforesaid, comprises a casing having an opening 2 at its upper end. In the-casingis the valve men'iber it" having a suitable guide stem 3, said valve being adapted to close against the valve seat 8 as an incident to internal pressure of the tank 1.

Leading from the tank 1 to the mixing drum isa water outflow pipe 9 in the length of which is provided a three-way valve means it). This three-way valve may be of difi'eren't constructions. It sufliccs for the purpose of this invention, however, to explainthat in one position of the valve operating lever 11 the valve means 1naintained adjusted to permit water to flow fremthe main supply line 13 into the bottom portion of the measuring tank 1. In another position of said valve n'ioans lo, the water from the main supply line pipe 13 will be cut ed, and the liquid contents of the tank 1 will be free to pass through the pipe 9 into the mixing drmn B. It should be noted that the valve means 10 is so designed that when the supply line 13 is in communication with and supplying water "to the tank 1, said supply line is cut off from the outflow pipe 9 so that no water may pass through the latter.

The function of the valve means 10, tl'iereforc, is to permit water to pass from the supply line 13 to the tank 1 cutting off the flow from the tank 1 to the drum B: or by coordination to cut off the enmity of: the water from the tank 1 to the outflow pipe 9v and establish con'mmnication het-ween the pipe 13 and said tank for replenishingthe measured quantity of water to be received in said tank and later dispensed to the mixing drum when the latter is charged with solid aggregates.

Attention is called to the fact that there may be provided a water supply pipe 13 leading from the main supply line pipe connection 13 to the bottom of the air tank 5 so that water may be introduced into said air tank 5, for reasons hereinafter set forth. A three-way valve at the bottom portion of the tank 5 controls the admission of water from pipe 13 into the tank 5; in one post ,pounds with as much as a seventy pound water pressure in the water supply line pipe 13, i 1 a l igurei is a view illustrating a slightly modified adaptation oi? ethe invention in which "we utilize, connected up with the water tank-1, means for compressing" air in .the'tank l acting auxiliary to the action of the waterthat enters this tank. Thus there is :prov ded a compression cylinder 22 connected by'ia :pipe 23incommunication with the top portion-f the tank 1, by direct connection with the pipe 3 or any other method desired. a i y In this compression cylinder 22 is a piston 24chaving an actuating rod25 adapted I te beshi'fted through the adjustablelever arm 26 which is connected to one end of a cross shaft 26 journaled on the frame of the machine. The shaft 26" is provided with a second arm-26 'havinga roller 26 at its outer extremity, which latter normally hes in the path of travel of a projection C 'which is in the forin of a channel having one side flange shorter than the other, as clearly shown in Figure 2'. The lever arm 26" is limited in itsinoveinent by the stop I 'niember 27 and in the operation ofthe device asthe skip C-is moved upwardly the roller 26 will passinto the channeled member C whieh'cause's.theactuating rod 25 to shift .the piston 2d'inwardly of the cylinder 22.

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In this form of the invention, which disppenseswith the storage'tank 5, the cylinder '22 performs the 'dual function of acting as the air-reservoir and as an aircompressor. That is to say, the inflow of the *ater into :tank 1 compresses the -air in the cylinder 22, and as the skip later 'nioves upwardly and the tank 1 isvented todischare'e the water 'the piston 24:; inoving; inwardly performs a compressing function maintaining; the maxiinuin pressure continuous duringthe outflow otthe vvater. I

As the skip returns to its lowermost or grade'position the piston 24 is shifted'outwardly by the channel. member C which latter becomes disengaged from the lever arm 26 when saidarin has reached its limit (if-movement, as prescribed-bythe stop 27.

It should be understood that the foregoin'g construction is merely an exeinplificati'on 'of'one type of means for accomplishing thefunctionof supplying auxiliary air toniutie valve 2.

but wedo not wish to be confined to the .form Of HlGGllllllSIl] which is herein lllllS trated.

The manual lever 17 enables the operator to actuate the'valve means manually (or a controlling the closing oil of the connuunication between the supply pipe 13 and the tank 1 or to permit the actuation ol the valve means 10 in order to supply an additional quantity of water to the drum ll rt- It is understood that there may he employed in conjunction with the water control means of this invention a hatch meter for controlling and indicating the time of the mixing period as set l'orth in Letters Patent No. 1,523,5-.t8 before referred to.

Figures 1 and 5 illustrate a form of separator which may he used in connection with. the invention. though it is not absolutely necessary. Th s separator is designated as 28, and is preferably located according to the construction of Figure '1, above the air Said separator acts as a, device to prevent the water, or some vaporladen air from passing into the air tank or cmi'ipartlnent. The s(. parator is merely a hollow body having internal balllc plates which act to interrupt and separate the .inoisturc or water from the air the moisture or water flowing hack into the water tank when the 'air valve 2 opens. The opening of the air valve takes place the instant the water pressure is relieved by opening of the discharge valve means to supply water to the mixing druin.

In the construction of Figure 6 there is used a water and air tank in one designated as 30. The water colnpartment space is shown at 31, and the air space at 82. the partition 33 separating the two. in this (()I1 struotion, the water space and the air space are connected bysuitahle pipe means corrcspending" with that previously de-crihed, the same leading from the side of the separator 28 instead of the top as in Figure 1.

The principle of the invention is substantially the same as before set forth. The water space 31 connected with the air chamber 32 for supplying the latter with water to reduce its capacity by means of a pipe 34 having the three-way water control valve 35 which 'l unctions like the previously described valve which is located beneath the tank 5 and in con'nnunication with a ater line.

It is to be understood of course, that the air valve 2 is a form of check valve and will permit air to pass by, but not water. The instant the air in the tank 1 or water space 31 is totally expelled and the water attempts till lllli eone drum B with the solid aggregates. Moreover, the action of the valvemeans ll may be timed to be tripped by the skipC to start the water into the mixera little ahead of the said aggregates.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a concrete mixer, coinprismg a mixlng drum, a water tank for supplying water .to sa1d drum, a water line to supply water under pressure tosaid tank,

the said mixing machineincluding a loading means for charging solid aggregates into the drum, and meansoperated by the last men tioned means for compressingair to act upon thewater in the water tank for forcing the water from said tank into. the mixing drum. i

.2. In combination, a mixing machine, a Water tank for supplying Water to be mixed with solid aggregates in the machine, solid aggregatecharging means for the machine, and air compressing means controlled by the last mentioned means for accelerating the flow of water from thewatertank to the mixing instrumentalities of the mixing machine for admixture with the solid aggregates operated on thereby.

The method of accelerating delivery of a liquid supply to concrete mixers which consists in forcing the liquid intoareservoir chamber, trapping the air displaced therefrom in a separate communicating chamber of restricted capacity to build up a predetermined pressure in theilatter, interrupting communication between the chambers when the first mentioned has recharge of its contents under influence the trapped air pressure.

4. In combination, a concrete mixing machine, comprising a mixing drum, Water supply means for said mixing drum including a water tank and means operable by the mixing machine itself for causing compressed air to act on the water 1n the water tank for forcing back water to the mixing drum. y i

5. The method of supplying Water to concrete mixers which comprises introducing water under pressure into a reservoirand trappingthe air content thereof to build up anexpulsion pressure head for sa1d water,

compressing said trapped air to efi'ect an increase of said pressure head incident to charging of aggregates into the mixer, and finally expelling the water into the mixer under the pressure head ofthe said trapped and compressed air.

, (5. in water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank having a water inlet and a discharge line to the mixer, a waterline to supply water under a pressure to said tank, air receiving means, a

valve intermediate the tank and air receiv ing means,.and valve means to control passage of water to the tank from the supply line to compress the air previously in the tank .in the air receiving means so that said air will act as a motive fluid to thereafter expel the Water from the tank, and also to establish communication with the mixer discharge line.

7. In Water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a Water lme to supply water under pressureto said tank, air controlling means, and valve means thereafter expel the water from the tank,

and also to control the outflow of the water from the tank, a mixing drum to which the waterin the tank may flow when expelled therefrom, and a mixer loading skip adapted to actuate the said valve means.

8. In water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply Water under pressure to said tank, air controlling means including an automatic check valve, and valve means to control passage of water to the tank from the supply line to compress the air previously in the tank in said air controlling means so that said air will. act as a motive fluid to thereafter expel the water from the tank, and also to control the outflow of the water from the tank.

9. In water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said tank, valve means to control passageof water to thetank from the supply line to compress the air previously in the tank so that said air will act as a, motive fluid to thereafter expel the water from the tank, also to control the outflow of the water from the tank, and an air tank into which the air in the water tank is forced and compressed when the water is admitted to the water tank, and means to vary the capacity of the air tank.

10. In water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said tank, valve means to control passage of Water to the tank from the supply line to compress the air previously in the tank so that said air will act asa motive fluid to thereafter expel the water from the tank, also to control Bill the outflow of the water from the tank, an air tank into which the air in the water tank is forced and compressed when the water is admitted to the water tank, means to prevent flow of the water to the air tank, and means to vary the capacity of the air tank and the amount of water received in the water tank to maintain certain relations between the volume of water in the water tank and the volume of air in the air tank.

11. In water supply means for concrete 1nixers,'in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said tank, means to limit the flow of water into the tank, and valve means to control passage of water to the tank from the supply line to compress the air previously in the tank so that said air will act as a motive fluid to thereafter expel the water fron'rthe tank, and also to control the outflow of the water from the tank, a mixing drum to which the water in the tank may flowwhen expelled therefrom, and a'mixer loadin skip adapted to actuate the said valve means to cause the water to pass from the water tank to the mixer before'the skip discharges aggregates therein into the mixer.

12. In water-supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to sald tankand to store up pressure, valve means to deliver the water fromthe tank to a mixer under saidv pressure, a mixer, a loading skip to charge solid aggregates into the mixer, and means adapted to coact with the valve means aforesaid to cause commencement of flow 0t water from the water tank to the mixer before the solid aggregates are charged into the mixer by the skip.

I 13; In water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said tank, valve means to deliver the water from the tank to a mixer, a mixer, a loading skip to charge solid aggregates into the mixer, and means to build up a pressurehead effective upon the water to subsequently cause commencement of flow of water fromv the water tank to the mixer before the solid. aggregates are charged into the mixer bythe skip and operable from the skip.

14:. In water supply means. for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said. tank and establish an air pressure head, valve meansto deliver the water from the tank to a mixer, a mixer, a loading skip to charge solid aggregates into the mixer, and means operated by the skip for creating auxiliary air pressure on the water in the water tank to force the Water therein therefrom.

, 153 111 water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line tosupply water under pressure tosaid tank, valve means to deliver the water from the tank to a mixer, a mixer, a loading skip to charge solid aggregates into the mixer, and means operated by the skip for creating air pressure on the water in the water tank to force the water therein therefrom and consisting oif an air inlet for the water tank, an air tank adapted to receive air from the water tank, valve control means for said air inlet, and skin actuated piston means in the air tank to compress air therein to act on the Water in the water tank.

lti.- In water supply means for concrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water lineto supply water under pressure to said tank, *alve means to deliver the water trom the tank to a mixer, a mixer, :1 compressed air tank to receive air from the water tank, and means to progressively compress the air in said tank to act on the water in the water tank to cause accelerated movement of water to the mixer.

H.111- water supply means for concrete u'uxors, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply water under pressure to said tank, valve means to deliver the water from the tank to a mixer, a mixer, a source of compressed air, and means under the control or the said valve means to cause the con'ipressed air to act on the water as the valve means delivers the water to the mixer.

18. in water supply means for coi'icrete mixers, in combination, a water tank, a water line to supply Water under pressure to said tank, valve means to deliver the water from the tank to a mixer, a mixer, a source of compressed air, and means under the control of the said valve means to cause the compressed air to act on the water as the valve means delivers the water to the mixer, said valve means being operable to refill the tank with water after emptying thereof, and means to cause compression of air in the tank and replenish the source of con'ipressed air supply as the tank is refilled.

19. The inethodof supplying water to concrete mixers which consists in establishing communication between a water tank, which is open to the atmospherewhen empty, and a water supply line, causing flow of water from the supply line under pressure into the tank and simultaneously cutting off of the tank from the atmosphere to compress air previously entering the tank, to provide a motive fluid for expelling said water from the-tank, opening the tank to an outflow passage whereby such motive fluid may act to positively force the water through the outflow passage, elevating the aggregate material in a skip to mixer charging position and utilizing the elevating motion of said skip to compress the trapped air.

20. The method of supplying water'to concrete mixers which consists in establishing communication between a water tank, which is open to-the atmosphere when empty, and

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a Water supply line, causing flow of Water from the supply line under pressure into the tank and simultaneously cutting as of the tank from the atmosphere to compress air previously entering the tank, to provide a motive fluid for expelling said water from the tank, opening the tank to an outflow passage Wherehy such motive fluid may act to positively force the outflow passage, trapping the air in a separate compartment and varyingthe capacity of said compartment to Vary the effective expulsion pressure head,

21. The method of supplying Water to concrete mixers which consists in introducing Water into a tank under pressure and trapping the air in said tank to create a minimum pressure h'ead, further compressing said trapped air from the mixer charging instrumentality to create a maximum pressure head and expelling the Water into the mixer under the pressure head so produced. 22. The method of supplying water to concrete mixers which consists in introducing Water into a receptacle under pres sure and trapping the airin said receptacle to establish a minimum pressure head, expelling water from said tank into the mixer under the influence 0i said pressure head while maintaining pressure head above the minimum established by the Water pressure.

In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures.

ERICH H. LICHTENBERG. GEORGE EVANS WEBB. 

